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LOS ANGELES—Ernie Hix, known as “The Father ofUSCMen’s Volleyball” after building the program in its early years as head coach and guiding the Trojans to their first 2 NCAA championships, died of malignant melanoma on Saturday (June 4) in Alta Loma, Calif. He was 80.

During his 8-year (1974-81) tenure at USC, Hix not only won NCAA titles in 1977 and 1980 and finished as runner-up in 1979 and 1981, but he laid the foundation of the nascent Trojan program and fostered its development into a national power. He won 73.8% of his matches at USC, with an overall record of 138-49.

A service for Hix will be held on Monday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at Murrieta United Methodist Church (24652 Adams Ave., Murrieta, Calif. 92562, 951-677-6174). A viewing will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be a reception immediately following at Bear Creek Country Club (22640 Bear Creek Dr. North, Murrieta, Calif. 92562, 951-677-8621).

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Hix’s name to the USC Men’s Volleyball Alumni and Boosters Club, c/o USC Men’s Volleyball, Galen Center, 3400 So. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90089-2360.

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Coach Ernie Hix, a Trojanlegend,” said current USC men’s volleyball head coach Jeff Nygaard. “He singlehandedly grew USC Men's Volleyball from its infancy into an NCAA championship-winning program, and along the way he had a deep impact on those who played for him. I have profound respect and admiration for the Father of USC Men's Volleyball, and I am in awe witnessing his continued impact through the outpouring of love from those who knew him best.”

“Ernie Hix created an incredible foundation for the USC Men’s Volleyball program, quickly establishing it as a collegiate power by winning a pair of NCAA championships,” said Bob Yoder, who was a member of Hix’s 1977 national titlist team and then succeeded Hix as USC’s head coach from 1982 to 1989. “He was respected and loved by his players, and we will miss him. He also ensured significant financial support for the program during and after his coaching tenure by developing and fostering the USC Men’s Volleyball Alumni and Boosters Club.”

In 1977, midway through Hix’s head coaching tenure at USC, the university started awarding athletic scholarships in men’s volleyball.

From 1971 to 1973, Hix served as USC’s assistant coach.

A 1958 graduate of USC who played on the 1955 Trojan freshman basketball team and on the varsity in 1956, Hix was a member of a pair of Hollywood (Calif.) High’s Los Angeles City finalist basketball squads.